DENVER (AP) -Darrent Williams' ``Fro-hawk'' drew almost as much attention as his play Monday night.

Williams, a second-year cornerback for the Denver Broncos, decided to style his hair in the unique half-Mohawk and half-Afro for national television.

``It's tall and pointy, like a rock star,'' he said.

Williams deserved rock-star treatment after his performance Monday. He had his first interception of the season and a crucial 33-yard punt return when the Denver offense was struggling during the Broncos' 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Showing up for a postgame press conference after the game, Williams looked around the room in awe as the cameras focused in on him.

More specifically, his new hair style.

``I've never been in here before,'' he said.

Williams is quickly becoming more than just the ``other cornerback'' for Denver. He's no longer Champ Bailey's sidekick.

While life on the opposite side of Bailey is far from dull - with quarterbacks constantly picking on you - teams are discovering that Williams is pretty good himself.

``That's fine. Pick on me,'' Williams said. ``One day, I'll be the shut-down corner on the team.''

That day may have already arrived. Denver may be in possession of two premier lock-down corners.

``If you put him on the field he's going to make something happen,'' Bailey said.

Williams' fourth-quarter interception of a Steve McNair pass set up Rod Smith's 4-yard touchdown reception that sealed the win.

He also had two picks his rookie year, including an 80-yard touchdown return against Oakland.

``I think he's an elite cornerback,'' coach Mike Shanahan said. ``He has a lot of confidence, a lot of ability. He will be one of the top corners in the National Football League for years to come.''

Yet teams still try to pick on him. What choice do they have? Bailey seems to intercept everything thrown his way. The Ravens tried to throw it high to 6-foot-6 receiver Clarence Moore in the end zone just before halftime, but Bailey picked it off for his first interception of the season. It was one of the rare times Baltimore challenged him all night.

``That's what film study is all about - anticipation,'' said Bailey, who had eight picks last season, and one crucial interception to sew up a win over New England in the postseason. ``It's not cheating if you study it.''

Bailey has taken Williams under his wing and provided him with the equivalent of an Ivy League education on the art of playing cornerback. Williams absorbs each lesson as if he's listening to gospel.

``I want to be at Champ's level one day,'' Williams said. ``That's why I work every day to get better. Being on the opposite side of Champ is an honor.''

If you call getting picked on all the time an honor.

``It does put more pressure on me,'' he said with a grin.

Williams added a 33-yard punt return in the second quarter that ignited the Denver offense. The Broncos, who had two straight turnovers to start the game, drove down the field for a 43-yard field goal by Jason Elam to tie the game at 3.

The return did wonders for Williams' confidence as well. He came in averaging 0.8 yards a punt return.

``I've been down on myself,'' said Williams, who averaged 8.7 yards per punt return last season. ``This is the first team really not afraid of me returning the ball. I guess because of my (0.8) average. I never got discouraged. I know what I can do when I get the ball in my hands and I get a little room.''

So does the rest of the team.

``The guy can make plays,'' Bailey said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.